inXile Entertainment recently posted the results of its backer poll to decide whether the upcoming Torment: Tides of Numenera RPG will feature turn-based encounters or real-time with pause action. With 7,267 votes for turn-based, 7,052 votes for real-time with pause, and 782 votes for no preference InXile called the results "essentially a draw," and announced the decision to go with the turn-based option.

As we explained in Update 24, we were leaning toward turn-based combat because we believe itís better suited for the kind of tactical complexity we're looking for through our Crisis system. We believe itís a stronger fit for bringing narrative elements, including dialogue with NPCs, into hand-crafted combat situations. We have considered the vote, but more important than the vote are the comments (not just in our forums, but on many of the community forums and articles on this topic). Your comments have helped us greatly in understanding why people have the preferences and concerns that they do.

We have decided to go with turn-based combat. Ultimately, there are no losers here. This is all part of the process of making an RPG we are all passionate about and we think youíll like Tormentís combat even if you voted for RTwP. While we have not been looking forward to disappointing half of our backers, we were happy to find that many of the reasons people gave for disliking TB and preferring RTwP can be addressed through the details of our combat system and encounter design. Iíd like to go over some of the more common comments we saw either for RTwP or against TB and explain how we will address them.